First Timer

[IrishGamecock]

Hi everybody!

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I've been a gamecocks fan for a while but I am making my first trip to a game this season.

Me and my friends (all aged 22) are going to make the trip to Columbia for the NC State game and I wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of:

1: Decent budget accomodation close to the stadium (we ain't the richest of guys)
2: Where are the good spots to party while we're there (we're still students so we'd like to hit student spots)
3: When and where the tailgating gets going.

Thanks everyone!

[XLcock86]

Welcome!!!!!

[uscsweig]

Hi everybody!

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I've been a gamecocks fan for a while but I am making my first trip to a game this season.

Me and my friends (all aged 22) are going to make the trip to Columbia for the NC State game and I wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of:

1: Decent budget accomodation close to the stadium (we ain't the richest of guys)
2: Where are the good spots to party while we're there (we're still students so we'd like to hit student spots)
3: When and where the tailgating gets going.

Thanks everyone!

I don't really know anything about hotel rooms, but if you can find something affordable that is close to the stadium and Five Points go for it.

The college bars are all located in Five Points on Harden Street. It's a Thursday game so hit up Saloon for $1 beers(I think Pour House next door has $1 beers too, and $2 liqour drinks). Chubbys is another cheap place ($2 liqour drinks). The Pub will probably have live music. Rocco's should be going strong with school back in session (everclear slushies, be careful) and Red Hot Tomatoes always gets packed later on. Stay away from Jungles. Hope that helps you get started.

Most tailgating places open up 5-6hours before the game starts. The fairgrounds in a HUGE parking area ($15/car i think). You can always find a smaller lots, prices varry, but you can usually get in earlier, although idk how early you wanna get there on a Thursday.

where are you and your friends coming from?

[Spur's Addiction]

Hi there Irish. Welcome to the board. Didn't know we had Gamecock fans in Ireland.

To answer your questions:
1) There are a number of Hotels around. Nothing really close to the stadium. Downtown is not too far but Hotels probably cost a bit more there. check out some Hotels near Garner's Ferry rd. and I-77. There are several in that area reasonably priced. I have stayed in one before but can't remember which one. And the Stadium is reasonably close. Hop on I-77 and it's just a couple of exits down.
2) For students check out 5-points. Just ask anyone that looks like a student and they will be able to tell you where it is. Lot's of bars/ restaurants/ clubs in that area. The slightly older crowd tends to hang out in the Vista. Again almost anyone will be able to point you in that direction.
3)Tailgating is all around the stadium. Some people start real early. But generally things get going about 4-5 hours prior to game time. No real set time.
4) And enjoy the experience. It will be awesome if you have never been.

[IrishGamecock]

Thanks alot lads thats a HUGE help

Me and the lads are all from Ireland but we're living in Myrtle Beach for the summer.

Thanks again lads!

[Cocklover]

Welcome aboard! Love to hear the accent!

[SNEEZ]

Hi everybody!

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I've been a gamecocks fan for a while but I am making my first trip to a game this season.

Me and my friends (all aged 22) are going to make the trip to Columbia for the NC State game and I wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of:

1: Decent budget accomodation close to the stadium (we ain't the richest of guys)
2: Where are the good spots to party while we're there (we're still students so we'd like to hit student spots)
3: When and where the tailgating gets going.

Thanks everyone!

1. Expedia.com every time i come to Columbia! $70.
2. Five Points
3. ASA the gates open and Fairgrounds

for Spring game a bunch of us CTers were the FIRST ones in-line to get into the grounds when they opened the gates!:thumbsup:

[NastyNash]

Hi everybody!

Was wondering if someone could help me out. I've been a gamecocks fan for a while but I am making my first trip to a game this season.

Me and my friends (all aged 22) are going to make the trip to Columbia for the NC State game and I wanted to know if anyone could point me in the direction of:

1: Decent budget accomodation close to the stadium (we ain't the richest of guys)
2: Where are the good spots to party while we're there (we're still students so we'd like to hit student spots)
3: When and where the tailgating gets going.

Thanks everyone!

I've got to ask. How'd you become a Gamecock? Welcome to the dark side!!!

[donbgamecock]

Man if your a gamecock fan and have never been to a game at WB, you'll be a real GC fan after that. Have a safe and great time while in Columbia.

By the way, when ever you see a Clemson fan, player, or anything purple and orange for that matter...remember to tell em:

POKE ME HONE!

[palmettogirlusc]

1)heads up....you might want to go ahead and book your hotel asap. they are gonna fill up FAST. There are plenty downtown, just look it up :-). I remember last year for the first game someone said that they couldn't find a hotel anywhere in town, it was all booked up.

2)get your butts to 5pts. cheap cheap cheap (we are talkin $2-3 hours liquor), unless you want to be with the grad students...then go to the vista. you can walk from one to the other (however i don't reccomend it, i say stay in one area of downtown, its a good 30 minutes walk if you are haulin it...and yes i have done it, and no i wasn't by myself)

3)tailgating happens all over. i'm not sure how the fairgrounds are gonna work this year...but usually anywhere is fair game for tailgating. i even tailgated in my apt one game, twas very cold...but i then decided to walk down to the fairgrounds anyway and meet up with a friend.

just to give you a little idea....it looks like this all the way around the stadium.
http://a496.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/l_39c10c20343a50043b60fcda16930d4f.jpg


hrrmmm...irish accent....:-)

[Luke Skycocker]

yay for us lads

[tptgamecock]

Welcome and enjoy!

[CockRoche]

You damn sure better kiss the Blarney Stone and wish for good luck to the Gamecocks before you come over!!!

[Click-Clack]

Do you already have tixs to the game? This might be a tough ticket.